70 pregnant dairy heifers from around Ireland are headed to Kosovo tonight as part of a charity delivery via Shannon Airport.
The cargo flight is the third and final delivery of 210 cows destined for the disputed Republic of Kosovo and neighbouring Albania.
According to the charity Bóthar, which organised the project, tonight's shipment was assembled at Roscrea Mart, Co Tipperary, this morning by donors, farmers, community support groups and schools from around the country.
The heifers will be delivered to needy families who have undergone several months of training in animal nutrition, husbandry and welfare.
50% of the cattle in Kosovo were lost or killed in the Kosovo War and remaining animals faced a loss of feed shelter, resulting in a significant decline in production.
Each family that takes part must agree to pass on the first female offspring from their animal to another family, so the effect of the donation is multiplied.
